CMS is increasing access to telehealth for Medicare patients. What this means for hospitals is they will be permitted to code and bill during the PHE for services to which allowed physicians and practitioners employed by the hospital perform a face-to-face visit via telehealth service for a registered outpatient of the hospital.

In the CMS-5531-IFC Dated April 30, 2020, CMS confirmed new guidance for specimen collection services and payment. It is important for hospitals and physicians to review the applicable coding guidance summarized below and implement use for claims reporting as soon as possible.